Xiphophorus Heller (Xifo, Xipho), fish aquarium with sword-shaped tail is part of the family Poeciliidae, order Cyprinodontiforme, Poecilia reticulata as (Guppy), Molienisia sphenops (Molly) and Xiphophorus maculatus (Platy) and is unpretentious, extremely versatile and durable, very suitable for beginner aquarists. Because of varied colors existing in the species and hybrids his is a more decorative and xipho because friendly temperament can be easily joined to other species (but be careful, not all) in the same aquarium.

Originally from northern and central South America, the fish aquarium is used to temperatures of 22-26 ° C (some sources citing 18 to 28 ° C), therefore, to keep them in optimal conditions and to keep alert and healthy is absolutely necessary to install a device in the tank water heater with thermostat and a thermometer, set in the middle of the tank, and check to adjust the water temperature at any time. Prefer a slightly alkaline medium, pH 7.0 to 8.3 and a hardness of 12-30 ° DGH. Also, many aquarists add xipho aquariums, Guppy, Molly and Platy and a teaspoon of iodized salt for every 10 liters of water, even in extremis xipho adapt and freshwater aquariums.

Aquarium according to Heller is better Xiphophorus high capacity, as are fish that prefer to swim in a large space and, if not enough room (situation that appears when the tanks are overcrowded high capacity), not grow to normal size (8-14 cm), remains small. Also in overcrowded tanks is difficult to maintain chemical balance necessary so fish, due to accumulation of feces that are broken and which filters can not handle the fish properly and are prone to disease (parasites, fungi, bacteria) that can quickly take epidemic proportions.

It is advisable to have a fish about 6 liters of water available, but not less than 5. So, for 10 xipho, for example, need an aquarium of at least 50 liters, ideally over 60. When you buy an aquarium in which you intend to put xipho, and note that they will breed in captivity and you will probably keep at least part of chicken in the aquarium, which will grow and needed the "personal space" appropriate, about 6 liters of water, so it is best to take a larger aquarium than an aquarium that soon might be too small. Also known as xipho are fish for the pleasure of jumping out of water to prevent their loss from the aquarium, it is advisable to buy a covered container.

Heller Xiphophorus multiply easily in captivity, females grow larger than males, and they differ in that females have lower tail elongated, sword-shaped, and the belly, in the place would be found in fins usually have copulating body, cylindrical, translucent, adults reaching about 1 cm long, called gonopodiu. It was observed that some females can apparently change their Xiphophorus sex Heller, transforming into males (updates to anal fin, which turns into a pseudogonopodiu and lower stretches of the tail) in this situation, be it that males mature more slowly (sometimes even around the age of one year and later) or the woman in an aquarium with too few males, which can exhibit male sexual behaviors but, from what was observed can not yet to conceive.

Males are very eager to mate with females and follow them around the aquarium, so it is recommended that a male be at least 5, 6 females, otherwise, the females are in insufficient numbers are downright "harassed" the male, become stressed, do not feed and rest appropriately and not sick.

Heller are ovovivipari Xiphophorus fish, which means that fertilization occurs inside the body of females spawning but not "born" live young after six weeks of fertilization. Like any fish, but viviparous females, and other aquarium xipho, babies tend to eat as soon as they are born, so it is necessary to take some special measures aquarists you expect from a female chicken xipho. The female will give birth which is installed in an aquarium so specially arranged, with the top of a basin provided with holes at the bottom, large enough to allow passage to the inferior offspring, where they are safe. When expulsion chickens are "curl up" with the appearance of small spheres, and are heavier than water, immediately fell to the bottom of the tank through the holes basin, arrived at the bottom lose spheroid appearance is "stretched" and immediately start to swim and to seek food. In planted aquariums, where plants are often natural and occupies an area sufficient and if aquarists do not intend to save all babies, infants are likely to survive without these special measures, because they can hide among plants, where adult fish can not reach, and feed on fine dust resulting from food grains that are normally fed adults, as well as microscopic algae that grow on plants. Baby xipho newborns are small but visible to the naked eye (6-9 mm), body and tail are translucent head is noticeably larger than the body and can be seen immediately because this point dark eyes.

A female of Xiphophorus Heller can give rise to dozens of puppies at birth; primiparele (females born for the first time) are less chicken.